Amazon orders Seth Rogen superhero drama 'The Boys'

Amazon has ordered to series the original one-hour superhero drama The Boys.

In a world where superheroes embrace the darker side of their massive celebrity and fame, The Boys centres on a group of vigilantes known informally as “the boys”, who set out to take down corrupt superheroes with no more than blue collar grit and a willingness to fight dirty.

The eight-episode Prime original series will be co-produced by Sony Pictures Television Studios and created and written by showrunner Eric Kripke, and directed by Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen.

Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, who created the comic book on which the series is based, are set to serve as co-executive producers.

“In a landscape saturated with superhero shows, The Boys is the next evolution in this popular genre,” Sharon Tal Yguado, head of scripted series for Amazon Studios, said. “With Eric, Evan, Seth and Original Film all behind this series, we are excited to adapt this popular comic, from the visionary minds of Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, for television.”

Chris Parnell, co-president of Sony Pictures Television Studios, said: “We are very happy to have the unique opportunity to produce a second series based on the subversive and innovative world of Garth Ennis. And we are thankful to Sharon and her team at Amazon for their vision, partnership, and support.”

The series is scheduled to begin filming in the spring of 2018 for a 2019 release.

Subscribe to Screen International

Screen International is the essential resource for the international film industry. Subscribe now for monthly editions, awards season weeklies, access to the Screen International archive and supplements including Stars of Tomorrow and World of Locations.